Madresfield

Madresfield is a village in Worcestershire, England.

Location

Madresfield is located about two miles east of Malvern at the foot of the Malvern Hills. It is less than two miles from the River Severn.

Etymology / Name Origin

The name Madresfield derives from 'Mather's Field'. Madresfield is not mentioned in the Domesday Book, this could be due to the fact that it was linked with Powick and paid no taxes in its own behalf.

History & Amenities

Madresfield is part of a Church of England parish which includes the neighbouring village of Guarlford. There is a parish church in the village (dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin). There have been three churches, the first a small chapel that was mainly used by the Beauchamps, whose family seat, Madresfield Court, is located nearby. A second church, built on marshy ground to the designs of Augustus Pugin, was pulled down after only twelve years after becoming unsafe. The present church was built on land donated by the Earl Beauchamp and re-used many items from the earlier church. The village also has a primary school.

A Roman kiln was discovered on ground near Northend Farm, and near to what is now called Roman Way. There is an 800 year old ditch alongside Townsend Way that was once the boundary to the ancient village of Madresfield.

The main road though the village was re-routed in the early 19th century to move it away from Madresfield Court. Many of the village houses were built just after this period.

The village boasted two village greens, "Mathersfield Green" near "Byways" and "Bunn's Green" on the corner of Northend Lane and Rectory Lane.

The first Point to point racing amateur horseback race was held at Madresfield in 1836.

External links

* [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=summary&id=116898 Ofsted school report]
* [http://www.wdcra.org.uk/madres.htm Bell ringing at Madresfield]
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42866 British history online entry]